China's top football official has said his nation should bid for the 2026 World Cup, should an Asian nation fail to win the right to host the extravaganza in 2022, state press said on Thursday.
"I have always felt that it would only be a matter of time for China, as a major nation in the world, to host the World Cup," the head of the Chinese Football Association, Wei Di, told Xinhua news agency.
"Personally I am all for bidding; if needed, I will call upon public opinion (to support a bid) because to bid for the World Cup is in the interests of Chinese football."
England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are in the running for the 2018 event.
If one of the Asian bids is successful, it is highly unlikely that another Asian nation would be chosen to host the 2026 event.
Wei's two predecessors at the CFA and a bevy of other top association officials are currently under arrest and facing trial on charges of bribe-taking and match fixing.
"I have always felt that it would only be a matter of time for China, as a major nation in the world, to host the World Cup," the head of the Chinese Football Association, Wei Di, told Xinhua news agency.
"Personally I am all for bidding; if needed, I will call upon public opinion (to support a bid) because to bid for the World Cup is in the interests of Chinese football."
England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium are in the running for the 2018 event.
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If one of the Asian bids is successful, it is highly unlikely that another Asian nation would be chosen to host the 2026 event.
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Wei's two predecessors at the CFA and a bevy of other top association officials are currently under arrest and facing trial on charges of bribe-taking and match fixing.
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